WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier this year, President Trump signed the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 into law, which included the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act (OPEN Government Data Act). The OPEN Government Data Act, among other things, directs the head of each agency to "designate a nonpolitical appointee employee in the agency as the Chief Data Officer of the agency." Today, the U.S. Department of Labor created a Chief Data Officer (CDO) position and established its Data Board.

MILLWOOD, WV - After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia has ordered Team Environmental LLC – a natural gas pipeline construction management company based in Millwood, West Virginia – to pay 300 safety inspectors $1,850,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

OCOEE, FL - After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Lake Meadow Naturals LLC – an agricultural employer based in Ocoee, Florida – has paid $18,844 in back wages to 14 employees for violating overtime, recordkeeping, and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

BOSTON, MA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and subsequent litigation, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a consent judgment ordering Stavros "Steve" Papantoniadis and Polyxeny "Paulina" Papantoniadis – owners of a chain of eastern Massachusetts-area pizza restaurants – to pay a total of $330,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 150 current and former employees.

ORLANDO, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Crown Linen LLC – based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $60,863 in back wages to 15 employees for violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PEMBROKE PINES, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Paradise Villa Retirement Home Inc. – operator of five South Florida assisted living facilities – has paid $103,389 in back wages to 20 employees for violating minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SHEBOYGAN, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Nemak USA Inc. – based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin – for exposing workers to metalworking fluids used on aluminum after three employees were diagnosed with occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a debilitating lung disease. The company faces penalties of $26,520 for two serious health violations, the maximum penalty allowed by law.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released the following statement regarding President Trump's fiscal year 2020 Budget. The President's Budget supports American workers by funding investments in proven programs that lead to family-sustaining jobs, makes critical investments in worker protection programs, supports our nation's veterans, and reforms or eliminates ineffective or duplicative programs.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development for up to $4,090,306, with an initial increment of $1,363,435. The grant will provide disaster relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in 51 Missouri counties impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

MANCHESTER, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a statewide survey of New Hampshire highway construction projects that occurred between November 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018, to establish prevailing wage rates, as required under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The data collection initiative is not limited to federally funded construction projects.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the February 2019 Employment Situation report:

"At 3.4% year-over-year, wage gains hit their highest mark since April 2009.  The year-over-year average hourly earnings growth surpassing 3.0% for the seventh straight month is good news for America's workers.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime.

In the week ending March 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 223,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 225,000 to 226,000. The 4-week moving average was 226,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 229,000 to 229,250. 

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigation of a multi-million dollar pension trust fraud, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced William H. Minor to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a special assessment of $100, and ordered him to pay $1,636,604 restitution.

AUGUSTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited U.S. Battery Manufacturing Co. for exposing employees to lead, unguarded machinery, and other safety hazards at its facility in Augusta, Georgia. The company faces penalties of $115,594.

ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two contractors – PCL Construction Services Inc. and Universal Engineering Sciences – for safety violations after two employees suffered fatal injuries at a work site for the new JW Marriott Hotel in Orlando.

LOUISVILLE, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, issued an opinion affirming the Department's assertion that Off Duty Police Services Inc. – a security and traffic control services provider based in Louisville, Kentucky – violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WARMINSTER, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Etna Construction Inc. – based in Warminster, Pennsylvania – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a worksite in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company faces $208,560 in penalties.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited TarHeel Corp. for exposing employees to safety hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries as a result of a fall at the Forest Glen Community in Naples, Florida.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Monarch Co. – based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and operating as Monarch Roofing – will pay $156,346 in back wages to 84 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).